Method and apparatus for carrying shopping bags and other items

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus and method for a user to carry item-carrying devices such as bags and briefcases without the use of their hands. In one embodiment, the invention provides a clip apparatus configured to hold the handles of one or more carrying devices. In another embodiment, the invention provides a locking clip apparatus that supports and locks a carrying device being held to the shopper&#39;s belt or clothing to prevent unauthorized removal therefrom.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to devices used to attach items to clothing of a user.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Generally, while shopping it is often the case that a cart may be used to hold items. Even where carts are available, the cart may be cumbersome to use such as in multiple floor department stores, or stores where the aisles are narrow, for example. Often customers hand carry items such as clothing while shopping in stores when carts are unavailable or too cumbersome to use. Unfortunately, as shopping continues many customers may become weary of holding their items, even when shopping bags are used to hold the items. To avoid carrying their items for extended periods while shopping, many customers will often designate someone to carry the items and shopping bags for them. While this allows the shopper to be unencumbered while shopping, the designated item carrier may become weary and become less cooperative. Many times the designated carrier may unload the items purchased into a vehicle or storage area of a store, only to return to be given more items and shopping bags to carry. Moreover, while the shopper is unencumbered, the designated item carrier may become frustrated as they are now encumbered making it difficult for them to shop.

[0005] Therefore, what is needed is a method and apparatus for carrying shopping bags and items that is inexpensive, is easy to use, and provides shoppers a way to carry items that allows them to shop unencumbered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] An aspect of the present invention is an apparatus attachable to a users clothing for carrying handles of carrying devices such a shopping bags. The apparatus includes a clip body having an attachment means configured to attach the clip body to the users clothing. The clip body includes a u-shaped member. The u-shaped member being formed to receive and hold one or more of the handles therein when the apparatus is attached to the users clothing.

[0007] An aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for securing one or more handles of carrying devices to a user clothing or belt. The apparatus includes an s-shaped body having an open unshaped handle holding section, and a u-shaped clothing attachment section of the s-shaped body for securing the apparatus to the users clothing. The s-shaped body is configured such that when the apparatus is attached to the users clothing, the u-shaped handle holding section opens upwardly to hold the one or more handles therein and the u-shaped attachment section faces downwardly to receive a portion of the user clothing for securing the apparatus thereto.

[0008] An aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for holding one or more handles of shopping bags and other carrying devices to the clothing of a user. The apparatus includes a clip body having a u-shaped clothing attachment section and a u-shaped handle receiving section. The u-shaped handle receiving section defines a handle receiving slot sized to accept the one or more handles therein. The u-shaped clothing attachment section defining a clothing receiving slot sized to accept at least a portion of the users clothing therein. The apparatus includes a locking means configured to allow the user to lock the one or more handles in the u-shaped handle receiving section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

[0010] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the present invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0011]FIG. 1 a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of clips used to hold bags and other items to a belt of a user in accordance of aspects of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a clip of FIG. 1 attached to belt of a user in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a clip of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the invention.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a clip of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0015] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic perspective views of one embodiment of one or more clips 100 used to hold bags and other items to a belt 106 of a user in accordance of aspects of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates a user using two clips 100 to attach a bag 102 and a briefcase 104 to the user's belt 106. Each clip 100 is configured to hold one or more handles of carrying devices such as bags, briefcases, and the like.

[0017]FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a clip 100 of FIG. 1 attached to belt 106 of a user in accordance with aspects of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates clip 100 formed with a u-shaped attachment member 123 having an inverted slot 124 configured to slip over a belt 106 or other clothing such as the rim of a pair of pants and a u-shaped carrying member 125 having a upward facing slot 120 configured to receive and to hold handles of shopping bags and other items therein as described below. While one or more clips 100 may be attached to a belt 106 or clothing, it is contemplated that clips 100 may be made integral to belt 106 or clothing. As the clips 100 hold the carrying devices such as bag 102 and briefcase 104 without user intervention, the user is free to use their hands for other tasks.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a clip 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with aspects of the invention. Clip 100 includes a clip body 111 having an outer wall 112, a shelf member 116, and inner wall 118. The clip body 111 may be formed from rigid materials such as metal, plastic, wood, and the like. Outer wall 112, shelf member 116, and inner wall 118 form u-shaped carrying member 125 having an upward facing slot 120 configured to receive one or more carrying device handles therein. The shelf 116 forms the lower boundary of slot 120. Slot 120 defines an opening configured to receive one or more carrying device handles such as the handles of shopping bags, briefcases, cameras, and virtually any carrying device or other item having a strap or handle. When attached to a user, the u-shaped carrying member 125 is configured such that the opening of the slot 120 is facing upward to receive and retain handles therein. In operation, the weight of carrying devices and items contained therein provide a downward force on the shelf member 116 when being supported thereby.

[0019] In one aspect of the present invention, the outer wall 112 has a lip 114, which may be either curved or about straight, to impede handles from accidentally being removed from the slot 120 when their weight is reduced. For example, consider the case where a user has a shopping bag 102 such as shown in FIG. 2 and then sits down on a bench that supports the weight of the user and the shopping bag 102. The lip 114 helps keeps handles of the shopping bag 102 within the slot 120 when the weight of the shopping bag 102 is reduced when supported by the bench that the user is sitting on. In another aspect, the lip 114 and outer wall 112 may be configured sufficiently flexible to allow larger handles to pass by the lip 114. Once passed the lip 114, the outer wall 112 and/or lip 114 may be configured to return to their original shape thereby preventing the larger handles from being removed from the slot 120 without flexing the outer wall 112 and/or lip 114.

[0020] The inner wall 118 includes an upper member 110 coupled to an attachment wall 122 for supporting the clip 100 on a user's belt 106 or clothing. Inner wall 118, upper member 110, and attachment wall 122 form a u-shaped attachment member 123 of the clip body 111. The u-shaped attachment member 123 defines an inverted slot 124 configured to slip over a belt or other clothing 106 of a user for attachment thereto. The clip body 111 may be configured in a plurality of shapes adapted to attach to the user's belt 106 or clothing and support handles of carrying devices. In one embodiment, the clip body 111 forms an “S” shaped device where u-shaped carrying member 125 forms one part of the S curve, and the u-shaped attachment member 123 forms the other part of the S curve.

[0021]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a clip 100B in accordance with aspects of the invention. Clip 100B is similar to clip 100 described above. Outer wall 112B, shelf member 116, and inner wall 118 form a u-shaped carrying member 125B having upward facing slot 120. Clip 100B includes a clip body 111B having a latch member 132. In one aspect, latch member 132 is hingedly coupled on one edge via hinge 130 to inner wall 118. Hinge 130 may be spring loaded and have a spring tension such that when pressed down on the top 136 of the latch member and released, an edge of the latch member 132 is forced back against lip 114B by such spring tension. Latch member 132 may be configured to open when sufficient force is placed on its top 136 to over come the spring tension. Opening the latch member 132 allows one or more handles of carrying devices to pass into the slot 120. The latch member 132 when pressed against the lip 114B closes the opening of the slot 120 preventing handles from being removed therefrom. While illustrated hingedly attached, it is contemplated that the latch member 132 may be attached to the clip body 111B in a plurality of ways. For example the latch member 132 may be slid into recesses formed in the inner wall 118 and outer wall 112, or may be formed from a cloth strap that is placed over the opening in slot 120 and attached by an attachment fastener such as a snap device or Velcro®.

[0022] In another aspect to prevent theft of one or more carrying devices, the clip body 111B may include a locking mechanism 134. The locking mechanism 134 is configured to lock the latch member 132 such that once locked in order to remove the handle of the carrying device, the locking mechanism 134 must be unlocked. The locking mechanism 134 may be a key lock, tumbler lock, combination lock, or a plurality of different locking devices configured to lock the latch member 132. The locking mechanism may also be a passive device such as a pin, cotter pin, fastener, and the like, that is pressed into or through the inner wall 118 and outer wall 112B.

[0023] In another aspect of the present invention, the inner wall 118 and attachment wall 122 form an elongated loop 138 forming annular opening 128 having an inner diameter sized such that a belt or other similar item may be passed therethrough. While the elongated loop 138 is illustrated integral to clip body 111B, it is contemplated that the elongated loop 138 may be a separate piece from the carrying member 125 where the carrying member 125 and the elongated loop “snap” together with a fastener (not shown).

[0024] In combination with locking mechanism 134, the elongated loop 138 may be used prevent removal of the clip 100B and carrying device from the user's belt 106. Accordingly, the handle of the carrying device such as the shopping bag 102 or brief case 104 may be locked to the user's belt 106 via the locked clip 100B to deter removal therefrom. To further deter removal of the carrying device and perhaps support additional weight, a cut resistant cable such as steel cable or other strap device may be used in lieu of a belt 106.

[0025] While the clips 100,100B are illustrated as ridged devices, it is contemplated that they may be partially or wholly configured with soft materials such as cloth, flexible plastic, and the like. For example, clip bodies 111,111B may have a rigid attachment member 123 having a snap device (not shown) near the top or the inner wall 118 so that a piece of cloth may be used to form the u-shaped carrying member 125,125B. Alternatively, the clip bodies 111,111B may have a cloth attachment member 123 formed sufficient in length to loop around belt 106 and have a u-shaped carrying member 125,125B snap to the cloth attachment member 123 via a snap device attached thereto.

[0026] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. 

1. An apparatus attachable to a users clothing or belt for carrying handles of carrying devices therefrom, comprising: a clip body; an attachment means configured to attach the clip body to the users clothing; and a u-shaped member connected to the clip body, the u-shaped member being formed to receive and hold one or more of the handles therein when the apparatus is attached to the users clothing.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a u-shaped portion of the clip body configured to slip over the users clothing.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the attachment means comprises a loop-shaped portion of the clip body configured to slip the belt therethrough.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the clip body comprises a locking apparatus configured to lock the carrying handles of the shopping bags to the clip body.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises metal.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a rigid material selected from metal, plastic, wood, and combinations thereof.
 7. An apparatus for securing one or more handles of carrying devices to a user clothing or belt, comprising: an s-shaped body having an open u-shaped handle holding section; and a u-shaped clothing attachment section of the s-shaped body for securing the apparatus to the users clothing, the s-shaped body being configured such that when the apparatus is attached to the users clothing, the u-shaped handle holding section opens upwardly to hold the one or more handles therein and the u-shaped attachment section faces downwardly to receive a portion of the user clothing for securing the apparatus thereto.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the attachment section comprises an inverted slot configured to slip over the users clothing.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the attachment section comprises a loop having an inner diameter sized to slip over the users belt.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the handle holding section comprises an upward facing slot configured to receive the one or more handles therein.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the handle holding section comprises a latching apparatus to close an open end of the handle holding section.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the latching comprises a locking apparatus configured to lock the latching apparatus in a closed position.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the latching apparatus to close the open end of the u-shaped holding section comprises a latch member hingedly attached to the s-shaped body, the latch member being positioned such that in one position the latch member closes the open end of the u-shaped holding section and in another position opens the open end of the u-shaped holding section to allow the one or more handles to be received therein.
 14. A apparatus for holding one or more handles of shopping bags and other carrying devices to a users clothing, comprising: a clip body having a u-shaped clothing attachment section and a u-shaped handle receiving section, the u-shaped handle receiving section defining a handle receiving slot sized to accept the one or more handles therein, the u-shaped clothing attachment section defining a clothing receiving slot sized to accept at least a portion of the users clothing therein, and a locking means configured to allow the user to lock the one or more handles in the u-shaped handle receiving section.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the clip body comprises one or more ridged materials selected from metal, plastic, wood, and combinations thereof.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the u-shaped handle receiving section comprises a lip disposed proximate an open receiving end of the handle receiving slot to prevent the removal of handles therefrom.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein an open receiving end of the handle receiving slot is closable by a latch member to prevent the removal of handles therefrom.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the u-shaped handle receiving section comprises a shelf portion defining the lower boundary of the handle receiving slot adapted to support one or more handles thereon.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the locking means comprises a lockable latch member.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the locking means comprises a lock selected from a key lock, a combination lock, and combinations thereof. 